Jacksonville activates overnight warming center operations at Legends Center during late-January arctic cold front
Overnight shelter plan triggered by freezing forecasts
Jacksonville has activated its cold-weather shelter plan as an arctic front brings a rapid temperature drop to Northeast Florida. City officials said the shift follows near-record warmth over the weekend, with highs forecast in the 80s before the front moves through Sunday night, bringing a round of thunderstorms and a sharp turn toward much colder conditions.
City emergency operations are tied to a specific temperature threshold: overnight warming center services are activated when temperatures are expected to reach 27 degrees or lower. Officials said freezing temperatures are forecast from Monday night through Friday morning, with wind chills expected to dip into the 20s.
Schedule, location and what to expect
The overnight warming center is scheduled to operate nightly from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m., beginning Monday, January 26, 2026, and continuing through Friday morning, January 30, 2026. The site is the Legends Center, located at 5130 Soutel Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32208.
The center is expected to be staffed, with water available on site. City guidance asks residents planning to use the overnight facility to bring their own bedding and essential supplies.
- Operating hours: 9 p.m. to 9 a.m., nightly
- Dates: Monday night, January 26, 2026, through Friday morning, January 30, 2026
- Location: Legends Center, 5130 Soutel Drive, Jacksonville
- Pets: service animals only
Transportation and access during the cold emergency
To reduce barriers for residents without reliable transportation, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority is providing free bus transportation to and from the Legends Center. City officials said rides are available from bus stops across Duval County for vulnerable individuals during the overnight warming center activation.
Residents planning to use the overnight warming center are encouraged to bring bedding, snacks and medication, and personal hygiene items.
Daytime options and the role of local shelters
Officials said residents seeking warmth during normal business hours can also use city public libraries and community centers across Duval County, which serve as warming locations when open.
In parallel with city operations, nonprofit shelters in Jacksonville are also providing cold-weather services for people experiencing homelessness. City communications during recent cold activations have identified providers that routinely include City Rescue Mission, Sulzbacher locations serving different populations, and Trinity Rescue Mission.
The city’s plan emphasizes preparedness for an extended stretch of overnight freezing conditions, particularly for residents without adequate heat, those with medical vulnerabilities, and people sleeping outdoors.